Ayurveda is a union of two words in Sanskrit; Ayuh and Veda. “Ayuh” means “life,” and “Veda” means “science”; thus, Ayurveda is the science of life. It is a Hindu system of traditional Indian medicine and a form of alternative medicine that is native to India. Approximately 5000 years ago Indian sages first explained this profound (esoteric) knowledge.

 

The main purpose of Ayurveda is to help a healthy person maintain a healthy state and to help a person who has disease to achieve optimal health.

 

Ayurveda believes that prevention is better than a cure. It places emphasis on personal hygiene (swasthya vrutha), food (ahar), daily routine (dincharya), seasonal corrections (rutucharya), yoga, breathing exercise (pranayama),

meditation (dhyana) and appropriate behavior (sadachar). It counsels taking care of the body and making corrections before the manifestation (samprapti) of disease (vyadhi) happens.

 

Disease is the product of the amalgamation of aggravated dosha (Vata, Pitta and Kapha), the seven tissues and other bodily systems. Because of improper diet, seasonal changes, a disturbed mind, and failure to follow a daily routine, dosha become disturbed, and this aggravated dosha creates diseases.